Manual Handling Risks Research Articles

Investigating the Risk of Patient Manual Handling Using the Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients Method among Hospital Nurses in Botswana.

Evidence on the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) among nurses is widespread in the literature, with several risk factors being reported. These include manual handling of patients, repetitive bending and twisting movements, and long working hours. It is reported that LBP has negative health outcomes and causes poor work performance among healthcare workers (HCWs). The magnitude of ergonomic risks associated with these healthcare activities has not been adequately investigated in Botswana. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the ergonomic risk levels associated with the manual handling of patients and its association with the prevalence of LBP among nurses in Botswana. This was an observational cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in a Botswana public tertiary hospital from March to April 2023. The Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients (MAPO) tool was used to collect data on ergonomic risk levels. Data on the demographic characteristics of participants were collected using a tool adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to determine the association between ergonomic risk levels and the prevalence of LBP. A total of 256 nurses participated and completed the study. The self-reported prevalence of LBP in this study was 76.6%. The risk of acquiring LBP was high (90.5%) based on the MAPO index. Although the frequencies of self-reported LBP were high among nurses, these did not show any significant association with the MAPO index data. This could be partly due to the small sample size. There was a high prevalence of LBP in this study, which was corroborated by the MAPO index data. This has demonstrated the value of the MAPO index in forecasting the risk of patient manual handling. The findings might help Botswana formulate policies intended to address ergonomic preventive measures, directed towards reducing the MAPO index score by addressing the single risk determinants.

Ergonomic Risk Identification and Postural Analysis in Electrical Transformers Manufacturing Company located in Southern India

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the major factors resulting in discomfort at work in manufacturing industries to workers and these conditions contribute to the poor health of the workforce, subsequently to lower productivity. Therefore, the design of a workstation based on Ergonomic principles is becoming significant to reduce the effects of MSD. This study aimed to identify and assess the ergonomic risks associated with the work tasks in the company through posture analysis and develop recommendations for reducing those risks. Methods: About 36 manufacturing workers from five sections were randomly selected for the cross-sectional study. The chosen team members were from Core building, Core winding, Assembly, Tanking and Tank fabrication sections with experience of more than two years. The presence of MSDs was assessed using a Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. For postural analysis, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) were utilized. Few selected postures were analysed using CATIAV5 software and improvements reducing the risks of postures were recommended. Results: All of the 36 workers selected for the study were male with a mean age of 32 years and, average experience of 10 years, and 75% of workers had normal body mass index. The MSD questionnaire indicated discomfort of 86% mostly in the lower back portion of the body. The combined findings of RULA and REBA showed that about 44% of postures were in the high-risk group. Conclusion: Well-defined ergonomic interventions such as redesigning the workstation are suggested to reduce awkward postures and manual handling risks, leading to improvement in job performance and productivity.

Risk of Manual Handling and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Rice Mill Workers in Northern Iran

Background: Nowadays, a large proportion of work-related activities are performed manually, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aims to assess the risk of manual material handling (MMH) and estimate the prevalence of MSDs among workers in rice mills in the northern part of the country.
 Methods: The study was conducted on 100 workers employed in 36 rice mills in Gilan Province using the census method. The Nordic questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, while the NIOSH equation, Snook table, KIM-LHC and MAC assessment methods were used to evaluate the risk of related activities. Data were then analysed using chi-squared test and Spss23 software.
 Results: The results of the KIM-LHC and MAC lifting methods showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limb during lifting. Similarly, there was a statistically significant relationship (P=0.001 and P=0.002) between the Mac and Snook lifting methods. However, there was no significant relationship between the Niosh method and either the Kim-LHC or Mac-Lifting methods (P=0.10 and P=0.28).
 Conclusion: The results of the risk assessment using different methods showed a consistent and critical condition of the working environment in the rice mills studied. Therefore, it is imperative to take the necessary engineering and management control measures to improve the working conditions.

Challenges of Imaging Obese Patients in General Radiography: A Qualitative Systematic Review to Guide the Training and Practice in Zambia

Background: Obese patients are increasingly being referred for medical imaging examinations across the world. Obese patients require a modified standard of care to compensate for challenges caused by both technical and psychological issues related to their weight and body habitus. There have been research studies conducted on this issue, but no systematic review has brought the findings of these studies together to inform training and practice.
 Aim: This study was aimed at synthesising primary studies on the challenges faced by radiographers and radiography students in imaging obese patients to guide the training and practice in Zambia.
 Methods: This qualitative systematic review was conducted using the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Two databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched to identify relevant literature. This was supplemented by other sources: radiography journals, grey literature, and cited references. Data from the included studies were assessed for quality, extracted, and synthesised using thematic analysis.
 Results: Five studies were identified and included in this review. Following data analysis, four themes related to challenges faced in imaging obese patients in general radiography emerged: difficulties in communicating without causing psychosocial distress, manual handling risks, limitation of the equipment, and difficulties in positioning and determining the exposure factors for diagnostic radiographic images.
 Conclusion: This review provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by radiographers and radiography students in imaging obese patients. Strategies to enhance radiography training and practice have been identified to help educators and radiographers.

Feasibility of implementing an innovative manual handling risk assessment training program for staff working in long-term care

BackgroundThe Risk Assessment for moving Individuals SafEly (RAISE) program is a hospital-based manual handling nursing training program. RAISE involves upskilling on continual risk assessment during patient-assisted movements. RAISE aims to optimise staff and patient safety while providing the patient with movement and rehabilitation opportunities. Implementation of RAISE in the hospital setting has been established. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of implementing RAISE in the long-term care setting.MethodsWe examined three feasibility domains: acceptability, practicality, and limited efficacy (observed nursing behaviour change which has the potential to reduce nursing injuries), using a prospective pilot pre-post design in the long-term care setting. Staff completed a 4-hour training session on RAISE delivered by two physiotherapists, followed by 8 h of supported behaviour change in the workplace. Staff acceptability and practicality of incorporating risk assessment strategies into manual handling approaches were explored through pre- and post-training staff surveys and a semi-structured interview. Resident acceptability of manual handling practices was explored via survey data collected after the RAISE training. Pre to post-training changes in staff knowledge and behaviour were examined through the pre- and post-training staff survey, and observation of staff assisting resident movement.ResultsTwo enrolled nurses and five residents participated. Staff reported the RAISE program was acceptable and practical to implement in the long-term care setting. There were no adverse events or safety concerns. Staff reported the RAISE program provided guidance and enhanced staff empowerment to make decisions during assisted resident movement. There were 26 observed resident-staff manual handling interactions recorded, with 13 pre-training and 13 post-training. Post-training, RAISE skills had improved and were completed 100% of the time, except for completing a physical risk assessment which improved from 46 to 85%, demonstrating limited efficacy. Residents reported it’s important for staff to be trained on how to assist them to mobilise and they found the concept of the RAISE program acceptable.ConclusionsThis pilot study supports the feasibility of long-term care facilities participating in future studies testing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Risk Assessment for moving Individuals SafEly (RAISE) patient and resident manual handling program.

Musculoskeletal disorders and incongruous postures in workers on ropes: A pilot study.

Occupational hazards believed to cause musculoskeletal disorders in rope workers are traditionally associated with maintaining incongruous postures for prolonged periods of time. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 132 technical operators in the wind energy and acrobatic construction sectors, who work on ropes, analysing the ergonomic characteristics of the environments, the way in which tasks are carried out, the strain perceived by individual workers, and assessing the presence of any musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by means of an objective examination focused on the anatomical districts that were the object of our study. Analysis of the data obtained showed that there were differences in the perception of the level of physical intensity and perceived exertion between the groups of workers. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant association between the frequency of MSDs analysed and perceived exertion. The most significant finding to emerge from this study is the high prevalence of MSDs of the cervical spine (52.94%), the upper limbs (29.41%), and the dorso-lumbar spine (17.65%). These values differ from those classically found in those exposed to the risk of conventional manual handling of loads. The high prevalence of disorders of the cervical spine, the scapulo-humeral girdle and the upper limbs, indicates the need to consider the forced position to be assumed for a large part of the work activity, staticity, and the inability to move the lower limbs for long periods as the predominant risk in rope work.

Solar installation occupational risks: A systematic review

The adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and infrastructure are increasing rapidly to meet the ever-growing global need for renewable energy sources. An obstacle to solar PV growth is the severity of the occupational safety risks associated with their installation. Although PV installers are known to experience some of the most significant and widespread construction-related occupational safety risks, PV installer accident investigation research, reporting, and verification are limited. To contribute to this literature gap, this paper conducts a systematic literature review to understand and present the occupational safety risks, mitigation measures, and current and potential safety research areas associated with PV installations. A systematic literature search for relevant articles was conducted from October 2021 to January 2022 using the Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and PubMed databases identifying 365 articles by their title. After screening these articles with various selection criteria, 31 articles were selected as relevant to the research questions of this study. These selected articles identified electrical and fire risks, heat stress, manual handling risks, and fall risks as the major occupational safety risk categories associated with PV installations. This study can aid solar installation companies, occupational safety professionals, and policymakers in gaining a deeper understanding of the safety risks and mitigation measures associated with PV installations as they develop protocols and guidelines to safely support the solar workforce’s development.

The Risk Assessment of Patient Handling in Hospitals of Northeast of Iran

The study aim was to determine the risk of Manual patient handling (MPH) in Shahroud public hospitals, Iran. A cross-sectional study was performed in Imam Hossein (IHospital) and Bahar (BHospital) with 21 wards. MPH risk assessment was performed using MAPO (Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patient) index. The ratio of operator to disabled patient (NC/Op and PC/Op), lifting, minor aid, wheelchair, environmental, and training factor are evaluated to calculate MAPO index. Among studied wards 57%, 33.3%, and 9.5%, respectively, were in the high, moderate, and low risk exposure level. The maximum MAPO score were 16.7 in CCU of IHospital. Emergency ward of BHospital had the highest score of 9.8 and PC/OP ratio 17.5. The most risk factors were minor aid (90.5%), lifting factor (71.4%), and PC/OP (66.7%). Immediate ergonomic action is recommended.

Work Facilities Improvement Using Systematic Layout Planning to Reduce the Risk of Manual Handling

Manual material handling (MMH) activity is considered a major ergonomic risk factor in Indonesian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that leads to the onset or development of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the low back. It may exaggerate the risk of injury or disorders. This study evaluates the recommended weight limit (RWL) at UD Fatikh Sport, a SMES sports shoe manufacturer. In addition, we also propose a facility layout redesign to reduce the ergonomic risks of manual material handling activities. The NIOSH lifting equation was used to determine the RWL at four departments and during MMH activities. The Lifting Index (LI) of the MMH activity exceeded the recommended value, which might raise the ergonomic risks. The risks worsened because the operator carried the load manually to several departments, which were located separately on the second floor, without any aid tools. Two designs of facility layout improvement were developed using a systematic layout planning (SLP) approach. The first design was focused on minimizing the transportation distance, while the space requirement of each department or MMH activities was emphasized in the second design. It aims to improve working conditions and reduce workers' fatigue. Further research should calculate the productivity and estimate its cost-efficiency before and after implementing the proposed layout.

Proactive rolling bias test applied on sample stations

The most basic concept of sampling theory is that “a sample is part of a lot”, where the sample collected needs to be representative to the lot sampled. On sample stations, the lot to be sampled is represented by the material transported by the conveyor belt, while the sample is collected and further subsampled via cutters until the final sample collection point. Current normal practices to evaluate the operation of sample stations that support processing, metallurgical balance, reconciliation, and final port shipments are typically based on visual inspections: Material build-up on cutters, samplespillage, reflux while sampling, pegging on sizing screens, worn cutter lips are all observations that indicate issues. Being subjective observations, these do not allow the quantification of the sample’s representivity, and the risks for mining businesses due to a positive or negative bias being incorporated during sample collection stage. Bias Tests are mentioned in several International Standards across commodities (ISO3082 for Iron, ISO 13909-8 for Coal and ISO12743 for Copper, Lead, Zinc and Nickel, for example) to compare the sample obtained against the material it is supposed to represent at the control point. The current methodology and strategy used in the industry requires the interruption of the regular production process multiple times in a row for extended periods of time, to manually extract the material from the conveyor belt (also including manual handling and safety considerations). For this reason, bias tests are not very popular in industry (“we lose a lot of money and time having to interrupt our process many times”) - and are therefore usually performed only very reluctantly, or not at all, exposing mining companies to higher production and financial risks than necessary, hence it is simply assumed that the processes involved are not affected by bias. This paper is presenting a proactive approach to perform a Bias Test, developed at Hay Point Port Coal, a Rolling Bias concept has been developed, switching the current reactive, time consuming and manual process task, to a more proactive and frequent methodology that allows for trending analysis of the sample station. Quarterly planned maintenance stops are used to perform the bias test, where a vacuum system developed and tested by ALS Laboratory and BHP Coal, performs the collection of the material from the conveyor belt drastically reducing the time required to perform the task manually, but more importantly reducing the exposure of people to safety and manual handling risks. This approach enables Hay Point Port to have quarterly performance data of the sample station, converting this process to a more objective, proactive, and sustainable approach where data, every quarter, has been monitored since 2019.

Nurses sustain manual handling risk assessment behaviours six-months after a training program to move patients safely: a pre-post study

Purpose To determine if a patient manual handling training program focused on dynamic manual handling risk assessment for staff and patient safety, together with the patient’s need for physical rehabilitation, can be transferred and sustained in clinical practice. Materials and methods Using a pre-post design, nurses (n = 72) from acute and rehabilitation wards participated in a 4-hour training session teaching dynamic manual handling risk assessment to safely move patients. Clinical observations audits of patient transfers were conducted prior to, and at 1-month and 6-months post training. Surveys determined experiences of training. Nurse musculoskeletal injuries and patient falls were measured 6-months after training. Results Program patient handling skills were competently implemented 89% of the time 1-month following training and were sustained 6-months following training. There was no change in falls rates and staff injury rates were very low pre- and post-training. Training was well received and all nurses passed the competency assessment. Conclusion The patient handling training program taught nurses to better identify factors associated with risk to themselves and their patients and gave them improved skills to help patients move. Skills were incorporated safely into clinical practice and sustained at 6-months. It is uncertain whether training impacted musculoskeletal injuries. Implications for rehabilitation A dynamic manual handling risk assessment program for safely transferring and moving patients balances staff safety with the patient’s need for physical rehabilitation. Nurses can be taught risk assessment skills to better identify factors associated with risk to themselves and their patients that can be translated to clinical practice. Thorough risk assessment at the point of the nurse-patient interaction can enable a patient to move at their highest level of function thus providing patients with opportunities to progress their rehabilitation at every interaction.

Solar Installations & Their Occupational Risks

With the solar industry’s rapid growth, it is crucial to continuously review and assess the occupational risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations. PV installers are exposed to severe occupational risks, including but not limited to electrocution, heat stress, fall accidents, and manual handling risks. However, it is unclear what research is being done to mitigate these risks and where more research is required. Therefore, this paper performs a systematic literature review using the Scopus database to comprehensively review and identify: (1) the current knowledge available regarding the occupational risks associated with PV installations, (2) the health and safety effects these risks have on PV installers, (3) the research being done to mitigate them, and (4) the knowledge gaps for future research. This research can guide areas for future research concerning occupational safety and health in the PV installation sector.

Healthcare workers’ knowledge for safe handling and moving of the patient

ABSTRACT Objectives. Healthcare workers are at risk of injury during patient handling activities. There is a lack of research in safe patient handling. The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge level of safe patient handling among Brazilian healthcare workers and to analyze its associated factors. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed in two hospitals and 47 outpatient facilities with 644 participants in Brazil. Healthcare workers completed a self-administered questionnaire about their working characteristics, history of lower back pain and knowledge of safe patient handling. Results. The mean score of safe patient handling knowledge was 11.89 out of 22 maximum points. More than half (59%) of the participants did not see the risk of their activity. Educational level, type of healthcare facility and outpatient clinics were associated with safe patient handling knowledge in the logistic regression model. Conclusion. There was a substantial deficit in safe patient handling knowledge. There is a need for courses and textbooks to move beyond ineffective preventive strategies and minimize the risk of manual patient handling. Healthcare workers are at risk of injury during patient handling activities. Nursing schools in developing countries must focus on researching this topic to ensure safe patient handling.

Importance of Work-Related Psychosocial Factors in Exertion Perception Using the Borg Scale Among Workers Subjected to Heavy Physical Work.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the role of several environmental and time variables, as well as individual and psychosocial factors, on the perception of exertion, expressed by using the Borg scale, on logistics workers performing heavy manual tasks.Materials and Methods: We enrolled 56 subjects working in logistics sector that were interviewed on the perceived exertion required to execute a task of manual lifting of heavy loads, by using the Borg scale. The interviews were carried out during different shifts, at different times during the shifts and during several different months of the year. We also assessed the workers' anthropometric characteristics, length of service, any musculoskeletal diseases, and physical activity outside work. Workers were also interviewed using the structured OREGE questionnaire, in order to evaluate the main symptoms of stress and work-related psychosocial risk factors.Results: Overall, the subjective perception of the strength exerted by the workers exposed to a high risk of manual handling of loads was moderate. The rating attributed using the Borg scale showed no correlation with any of the investigated variables. 100% of the workers denied to suffer from symptoms of stress, whereas in terms of psychosocial factors, the workload was globally perceived as positive.Conclusion: The study results support the hypothesis that optimal work conditions—from a psychosocial point of view—reduce the subjective perception of exertion by workers even if exposed to a high risk of biomechanical overload.

A comparison of manual handling risks in different domestic waste collection systems using three separate evaluation methods

Arising out of the challenge for Local Authorities (LAs) to operate sustainable systems of work, is to avoid the creation of ill-health including the most significant causes of physical absence, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).The study's aim was to compare the reliability of the manual handling element of the Health and Safety Executives (HSEs) risk comparator tool for different domestic waste collection methods with self-reported pain via body-mapping and MSD ill health absence rates. Participatory body-mapping exercises were carried out in five LAs with one LA resurveyed, six months after the move from 35 and 50 L containers to a wheeled bin recycling service.The lowest levels of self-reported pain were for services designed with 240l wheeled bins excluding glass; the highest levels were for services that included 100l of garden waste sacks and recycling boxes. Industry data supports previous laboratory studies showing wheeled bins to be associated with less MSD outcomes than boxes, baskets and sacks.Triangulation of data established a statistically significant correlation of 0.85 (Pearson) between average pain-count (APC) and the mean MSD absence rates, with a strong correlation of 0.77 (Spearman) between APC and risk rating. The correlation is moderate, 0.49 (Spearman) between MSD absence and risk rating, reflecting possible intervening variables and a low participation rate by LAs.The contribution of this study is to improve the design of sustainable waste collection strategies to minimise MSD associated absence. In the absence of reliable absence data, body mapping should be used as a proxy method of assessing MSD risk.

An audit of obesity data and concordance with diagnostic coding for patients admitted to Western Australian Country Health Service hospitals

Objective: Accurate patient obesity data can be used to identify and mitigate patient manual handling risks to healthcare staff. This study investigates the accuracy of patient obesity data within the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) and examines factors potentially affecting obesity data accuracy. Background: Risk of injuries to healthcare staff are increasing due to rising patient obesity. Consistent increases in the prevalence of obesity in Australia have been recorded since 1995 and Australian obesity projections predict that 42% of the population will be obese in 2035. To manage the increased risks of injuries to healthcare workers due to obese patient management, accurate healthcare data relating to patient obesity is required. Design: Researchers examined records of patients admitted to WACHS hospitals with Type II Diabetes, which has confirmed links with obesity. Manual data extraction and comparison of obesity related data within patient medical records and electronic patient admission data was conducted to determine accuracy. Results: Analysis of the patient data examination demonstrated poor recording of weight (67%), height (24%) and Body Mass Index (BMI) when weight and height measurements were recorded (10%). Poor obesity data accuracy was also determined by low sensitivity results (40%), high false negative results (60%) and a Cohen’s kappa value of 0.44. Discussion: The sensitivity result demonstrates that only 40% of obese patients were coded as obese when obesity is recorded in their medical files, and the false negative result demonstrates that where obesity notations were present in medical files, 60% of these cases were incorrectly coded as ‘normal weighted’. There was only moderate agreement between the occurrences of coded obesity and the recorded obese patient notations in the medical files. Conclusion: Further research is required to inform enhancements to improve obesity recording and coding accuracy, which will increase the collection of reliable obesity data that could be used to reduce obese patient handling risks to nurses and other healthcare staff. What is already known about the topic? Increasing Australian population obesity rates have been previously demonstrated, this increase corresponds with increasing numbers of obese patients being admitted into hospitals. Healthcare staff who care for obese patients are at increased risk of injuries when conducting patient handling tasks. What this paper adds: A model to measure obesity accuracy utilising 14 data accuracy indicators was used, revealing poor obesity data accuracy and poor completeness of obesity data. Completeness of obesity data is influenced by time demands and workload of clinicians, breadth of clinical recording requirements, lack of organisational direction for the need of obesity data, and challenges in obtaining height measurements of patients who are mobility impaired, bed-ridden or unable to stand. Complete and accurate obesity data collections will result in increased ability to mitigate safety risks to healthcare staff who manage obese patients and may improve healthcare funding accuracy.

MAPO Method to Assess the Risk of Patient Manual Handling in Hospital Wards: A Validation Study.

To validate the effectiveness of MAPO method (Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patient) after the introduction of some changes to improve assessment objectivity. The number of operators exposed to patient manual handling is increasing considerably. MAPO, proposed in 1999 as a useful tool to estimate the risk of patient manual handling, is a method characterized by analytical quickness. It has recently been improved to better match the 2012 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) technical report. A multicenter study was conducted between 2014 and 2016 involving 26 Italian hospitals in the Apulia Region. MAPO method was used to assess the risk of patient manual handling in 116 wards. A total of 1,998 exposed subjects were evaluated for the presence or absence of acute low back pain in the previous 12 months. Only 12% of the investigated wards fell in the green exposure level (MAPO index = 0.1-1.5), 37% resulted in the average exposure level (MAPO index = 1.51-5) and the remaining 51% in the higher exposure level (MAPO index >5). The results confirmed a positive association between increasing levels of MAPO index and the number of episodes of acute low back pain (adjusted p trend = .001). The improvements made over the past years led to a more objective assessment procedure. Despite the changes, the study confirmed the effectiveness of MAPO method to predict low back pain. MAPO method is an accurate risk assessment tool that identifies and evaluates workplace risks. The proper application of the method significantly improves working conditions.

Trastornos musculoesqueléticos en trabajadores de la manufactura de neumáticos, análisis del proceso de trabajo y riesgo de la actividad

La morbilidad osteoarticular es uno de los padecimientos más frecuentes a nivel mundial tanto en países industrializados como en vías de desarrollo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación de las exigencias del proceso de trabajo de manufactura de neumáticos con la presencia de lumbalgia y trastornos musculoesqueléticos. También, se evaluó el riesgo de lesión dorsolumbar en un puesto de trabajo por manejo manual de cargas. Mediante un diseño transversal, se estudiaron a 185 operadores que realizan actividades operativas en una planta de producción y distribución de neumáticos. Se encontró una prevalencia de lumbalgia de 20% y de trastornos musculoesqueléticos en extremidades superiores e inferiores de 30%, que se asoció al manejo manual de cargas. Se encontró un riesgo elevado para el desarrollo de lesión dorsolumbar. Se propone reforzar las medidas que mitiguen o minimicen los daños músculo esqueléticos derivados del proceso técnico.

Replacement of Formalin-Acetic Acid-Alcohol Solution (FAA) in Herbarium Spirit Collections

FAA was used as a fixative and preservative for plant fruit, flowers and other parts pre-1992 at the Australian National Herbarium in Canberra and the Australian Tropical Herbarium in Cairns. In total, approximately 15,000 bottles contained FAA solution. In 2012, the Hazardous Substance classification for formaldehyde was changed from Category 3 to Category 2 in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as it is now considered that it is probably carcinogenic in humans following inhalation exposure. The basis for lowering the current exposure standard was to provide protection against both sensory irritation and cancer. In response to these changes a FAA replacement program was developed that focused on worker safety during replacement by minimising exposure and managing the manual handling risks of the work, whilst also ensuring best-practice curatorial outcomes for the specimens. An overview of goals achieved and the lessons learned along the way will be discussed. We hope these may be useful to other collections managers planning formaldehyde replacement programs in their institutions.

Containing the Spirits: Lessons learned from the Management of Australasian Herbarium Wet Collections.

Several herbaria in Australia and New Zealand have recently been required to implement changes to the way in which spirit (alcohol or wet) specimens are managed in their institutions in order to deal with various curatorial and staff health and safety challenges. We will present an overview of some of the key lessons learned from addressing issues such as mould, FAA (formalin-acetic acid and alcohol solution), inadequate housing and storage of our spirit specimens whilst also ensuring that best-practice curation standards are implemented along with appropriate work health and safety practices to protect staff. For example, the National Herbarium of New South Wales spirit collection was stored until 2017 in metal filing cabinets and open wooden shelving. Due to unstable air-conditioning resulting in high humidity and condensation, mould had formed on all of the bottles and on all wooden surfaces. The external surface of each bottle was cleaned with prior to removal from the dedicated spirit collection room, the wooden shelving was replaced with open metal shelving, and room cleaned and resealed prior to return of the collection. Monitoring of the environment and condition of the collection continues, and future actions include replacing the specimen vials, many of which have failing lids. The Western Australian Herbarium recently renovated its spirit storage area from specimens stored in boxes on fixed open shelving to individual bottles filed in metal drawers. Health and safety concerns for staff handling heavy boxes, often up ladders, combined with the inflexible and inefficient use of space on fixed shelving are now solved. Plenty of space is available for specimen expansion, and the ease of access to each specimen makes the collection simple to maintain. The next step for the collection is to protect it better by implementing climate control. FAA was used as a fixative and preservative for plant fruit, flowers and other parts pre-1992 at the Australian National Herbarium in Canberra and the Australian Tropical Herbarium in Cairns. In response to changes in the Hazardous Substance classification for Formaldehyde a program was developed that focused on worker safety during replacement of the solution in approximately 15,000 bottles by minimising exposure and managing the manual handling risks of the work, whilst also ensuring best-practice curatorial outcomes for the specimens. This is a presentation on behalf of the Managers of Australasian Herbarium Collections (MAHC), a network of herbarium Collection Managers in Australia and New Zealand.